All this talk about firearms

[solo1]

has got me active again.

I just bought a Bersa Thunder .380, ran two boxes of Mag Tec ammo through it with nary a glitch.  I also ran some Federal 90 gr. .380 hydroshocks but left enough to load two magazines plus one up the spout.  I'm set. No more shooting expensive
.380.

Instead, I mounted a Red Dot scope on my Single Six to practice getting into holding a firearm steady again..  Once I do that I'll practice using iron sights on  my Medalist, the BEST .22 target pistol that I've ever owned ( left handed too) .  Who knows, maybe I'll break out the M1 or the Savage varmint .223 rifle and do some long range shooting.  Plenty of ammo plus reloading.

[the inspector]

now your talking solo.....

[Jess from VA]

Here's my High Standard Supermatic Citation.  (also have the longer fluted barell).  Has about a 3/4lb trigger.

[Charlie McCready]

Solo1...can you buy 380 ammo in your area? It is not to be had here in southwest Virginia. I have the Bersa Thunder too but can't find ammo the last year or longer.

[solo1]

Here's my High Standard Supermatic Citation.  (also have the longer fluted barell).  Has about a 3/4lb trigger.

I also had a High Standard Trophy model at one time. The Trophy looked very futuristic with its muzzle brake, beautiful finish too.  I shouldn't have gotten rid of it. The older High Standards were hard to beat.

The Medalist's trigger is adjustable from the rear of the slide and also has a dry fire mechanism built in that simulates the exact trigger pull but the firing pin doesn't touch the chamber mouth.  The Medalist's pull is also under 1 pound with no takeup and no overtravel. 

[solo1]

Solo1...can you buy 380 ammo in your area? It is not to be had here in southwest Virginia. I have the Bersa Thunder too but can't find ammo the last year or longer.

I've bought three boxes from one of the local dealer in the last two weeks but it's sporadic (AND expensive!).  I'd like to shoot the Thunder often but not now.  I can't even find 90 gr bullets for reloading, other wise I'd reload as I have some brass, primers, and powder, probably have to buy dies, 9mm dies won't work as the 9mm and the .380 cases have a different outline.

[Gilligan]

Who knows, maybe I'll break out the M1 and do some long range shooting.

I never fired an M1.  I fired M-14s and M-16s and loved the M-14 for long range accuracy, reliability and stopping power.  How would you compare the M-1 and M-14 in terms of accuracy, reliability and stopping power?

[RoadKill]

Who knows, maybe I'll break out the M1 and do some long range shooting.

I never fired an M1.  I fired M-14s and M-16s and loved the M-14 for long range accuracy, reliability and stopping power.  How would you compare the M-1 and M-14 in terms of accuracy, reliability and stopping power?

Would that be the M1 carbine or the M1 Garand ?   

[fudgie]

I'd like to shoot my Winchester .45 Long Colt. But at $50 a box it can get pricey. Wish Ida known this in 97 when I bought it! I'll see what I can get on Sat at the show.

[Jess from VA]

  I never fired an M1.  I fired M-14s and M-16s and loved the M-14 for long range accuracy, reliability and stopping power.  How would you compare the M-1 and M-14 in terms of accuracy, reliability and stopping power?

The M1 Garand is 30.06 with about 200fps faster bullet than M14 .308, but essentially even.  The Garand is an 8-rd en bloc clip wheras the M14 is a 20-rd box mag (so firepower is always with the M14).  Of course the M14 action is based on a simplified version of the Garand.  

The real issue is the quality of the rifle.  All Garands are used, and most  M14's (read Springfield Armory M1A) are assembled from new or nearly new parts.  My SA Garand, based on serial no. and research, was arsenal rebuilt with new barrel and action in 1963, but with a stock with cartouches showing it went to WWII and Korea (which I cleaned up some and put ten coats of linseed oil, and would never change).  It shoots better than than I can hold.  

But you really have to do your homework to find a quality Garand.... many on the market are rifles that were cut in half then welded and reasembled in Korea for export to the US.  As a general rule, Garands built by Harrington and Richardson and Winchester are the best quality (and most expensive) you will find.  Used to be, $500 would get you a very nice Garand, not anymore.  Closer to $1200 and up now, and of course the M1A is more.  

Also, both rifles are really not designed for scopes, and both have very good mil spec peap sights (post and circle).  B-square and others make offset scope mounts for both, which do not put the scope in line with the bore, but to the side because of the bolt.  I have scopes on modern bolt guns, not my military collectors.  Both rifles are much more accurate with military style slings, which takes some study to use properly (standing, sitting and kneeling).  Properly slung, I could stand and hit a chest size steel plate at 200 meters with iron sights all day with my Garand.  If you have an interest in a Garand, it is worth your time to do as much reading as you can on them before hunting one up.  

If I was looking for a (US) military collector, either of these would be my top choice.  If I was looking for the best quality magazine fed semiauto high power rifle I could find for the money, then I would probably get a new FN FNAR ($1300 and up).

http://www.fnhusa.com/le/products/firearms/family6.asp?fid=FNF049&gid=FNG022
http://www.tactical-life.com/online/guns-and-weapons/fn-fnar-308/

[solo1]

I have the MI Garand 30-06 and about 400 rds of 8 round clipped ammo with the pouches.  I got it from the CMP and it's a Springfield made in 1943.  Nice shape.  By the way, the Garand truly does use a 'clip' not a magazine like most others.

I'm hardly an expert on the M1 or the M14 but both are similiar actions except the M14 won't give you the MI thumb from pushing the 8 round clip into the receiver and having the slide close on your thumb since it loads from the bottom by means of a magazine.  The M14 uses the equivalant of the .308 Winchester round, both are 30 caliber but supposedly the 30-06 has somewhat more power having a slightly bigger case capacity.

[solo1]

I never fired an M1.  I fired M-14s and M-16s and loved the M-14 for long range accuracy, reliability and stopping power.  How would you compare the M-1 and M-14 in terms of accuracy, reliability and stopping power?
[/quote]

The M1 Garand is 30.06 with about 200fps faster bullet than M14 .308, but essentially even.  The Garand is an 8-rd en bloc clip wheras the M14 is a 20-rd box mag (so firepower is always with the M14).  Of course the M14 action is based on a simplified version of the Garand. 

The real issue is the quality of the rifle.  All Garands are used, and most  M14's (read Springfield Armory M1A) are assembled from new or nearly new parts.  My SA Garand, based on serial no. and research, was arsenal rebuilt with new barrel and action in 1963, but with a stock with cortouches showing it went to WWII and Korea (which I cleaned up some and put ten coats of linseed oil, and would never change).  It shoots better than than I can hold. 

But you really have to do your homework to find a quality Garand.... many on the market are rifles that were cut in half then welded and reasembled in Korea for export to the US.  As a general rule, Garands built by Harrington and Richardson and Winchester are the best quality (and most expensive) you will find.  Used to be, $500 would get you a very nice Garand, not anymore.  Closer to $1200 and up now, and of course the M1A is more. 

Also, both rifles are really not designed for scopes, and both have very good mil spec peap sights (post and circle).  B-square and others make offset scope mounts for both, which do not put the scope in line with the bore, but to the side because of the bolt.  I have scopes on modern bolt guns, not my military collectors.  Both rifles are much more accurate with mil spec slings, which takes some study to use properly (standing, sitting and kneeling).  Properly slung, I could stand and hit a chest size steel plate at 200 meters with iron sights all day with my Garand.  If you have an interest in a Garand, it is worth your time to do as much reading as you can on them before hunting one up. 

If I was looking for a (US) military collector, either of these would be my top choice.  If I was looking for the best quality magazine fed semiauto high power rifle I could find for the money, then I would probably get a new FN FNAR ($1300 and up).

http://www.fnhusa.com/le/products/firearms/family6.asp?fid=FNF049&gid=FNG022
http://www.tactical-life.com/online/guns-and-weapons/fn-fnar-308/

[/quote]

Thanks Jess, as I said I'm no expert on either except the difference in the rounds themselves.  My Garand was never issued to the Korean government for training  and it's in NRA good to very good..  Muzzle is not worn and headspace is good. The stock has some scratches but is not oil soaked around the receiver.

I wish that I had the M1 issued to me in 1952 straight from the cosmoline tho.

[Jess from VA]

I have several US battle rifles in very good to excellent condition, but the Garand is my favorite.  Possibly because it is what my father was issued in the Marines, and also it's historical significance.  The first semiauto and last all wood furniture US battle rifle.  No use for linseed on todays stuff.

The ones displayed at the Springfield Armory and NRA HQ museums are perfect, but they won't let you handle them.   LOL

[fstsix]

Still have my KG-9 had it for years and the 38 special for the little wife, I left CA in 92 and bought some property in Colorado Springs, lived there couple of years, so i am kinda new there and i was sitting at this coffee shop and this Jeep pulls in the parking lot right up to the glass window and now coming from LA never seen anything like this, i about fell off the chair i am looking right down a 50 cal. barrel mounted on top of his jeep WOW!!! so the waitress say relax its just the Dragon man, only about 3 people in the coffee shop so could not help my self had to check out this guys rig, Cool dude he invited me to go shoot some of his toys ALL AUTO, Great day he is still around Class 1 dealer what a day he even fired some rounds from his 50 on his jeep I brought my brother in law he was in awe. Motorcycle related click on his site heheheheh.http://www.dragonmans.com/

[Phil Owen]

Noticed that a lot of folks are looking for .380.  I do not have anything in .380 but while looking through all my ammo links tonight I found the following at Ammunition to go for .380.  No clue if it's in stock but might be worth trying.

http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/catalog1/index.php/cName/380-auto-fmj-ammo